Corn-popping machine



May e, 1924; 1,492,987

L. `J. ISENHOUR CORN POPPIING MACHINE Filed June 1-, 1920 5 SheetSl-Sheet l A TTORNE Y.

May s, 1924. 1,492,987

L. J. ISENHOUR CORN POPPING MACHINE Filed June 16 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 'lll IIH' 'i II WI TNESS: N VEN TOR.'

mw, Q. 5f. yf] l i ATTORNEY.

May s, 1924.` 1,492,987

L. J. ISENHOUR CORN POPPING MACHINE Filed June 16 1920 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 WITNESS! 157 :1 IZE j lll u EA .12. J6

6J 70 J 561 60 ,6. l

l J1 A 5y 5% 449 9 May e, 1924. A 1,492,987

J. ISENHOUR CORN PoPPlNG MACHINE FiledJne 1e 1920 5 sheets-sheet 4 49M Mm May s, 1924.- 1,492,987

L. J. ISENHOUR CORN POPPING MACHINE Filed June 16 1920A 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 4 a lf-yg. 20. y 21.

s 31 i. *f J2 'J0 WITNESS.- v l INVENTOR.- u @M BY A,

A TTORNE Y.

Patented May 6, 1924,

UNITED STATES 'PA-TENT oFFicE.

LUTHER AJ. IsENHoUR, or INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, A'ssIGNoR or SEVEN-momias To' .IAcoB woInFELD, or INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.l

coaN-roPING mAcHINE.

Application led June l16, 1920. Serial No. 889,476. l

To all whom t may concern."

Be it known that I, LUTHER J.' 'IsnNHoUN,

a citizen of the United States, residing atcontinuously as may be required to be sold at retail, whether in-doors or out in the open air where exposed to various atmospheric or climatic conditions, the :invention having reference more particularly to incasedcornpopping apparatus comprised in a machine which may be either portably or'stationarily arranged for use. Y

An object of this invention is vto provide a corn-popping machine of improved construction which shall be sanitary and permit the operations to be inspected, and whlch shall be so constructed as to be not only meritorious in its practical operation but educational and amusing to observing. patrons.

Another object is to provide an improved corn-popping machine which shall be so constructed as to be capable of eliciently separating properly the popped corn from the unpopped or shot corn and ydeliverlng the popped corn ready to be dispensed. A

A further object is to provide an improved-corn-'popping machine having particularly advantageous arrangements of various elements designed for carrying out dif- -ferent steps in the corn-popping operations,

so as to insure superior results.

Still further objects are to provide an improved apparatus whereby to feed unpopped corn to a heated table and to automatically control the feeding of the corn; to provide improved means whereby to agitate and control the corn while-being popped on the table: -to provide improved means whereby to control -delivery of the corn from the heated Ztable; to provide, improved means whereby to separate the popped from the shot corn; 'and to provide improved means for imttering and finally discharging the popped corn.

Another and important object of the in-` vention 1s to provide a corn-popping machine of improved constructiongenerally and havin adjustable, features to effect ac curate an easy operation of the machine and to insure durability and economy in operation, while being of simple construction as to details and permitting construction at a nummum cost.

With the above-mentioned and other objects in view, the invention consists in a corn-popping machine having various novel and improved elements or devices, and improved automatically-operating devices whereby to obtain the Improved results sou ht; and, the invention 'consists vfurther in t e parts and combinations and arrangements of parts as hereinafter particularly described and further set forth in the accompanying claims. l

Referring to the drawings, Figure-1 is a rear elevation of the corn-popping machine as preferably constructed, the supporting stand and the rear door ofthe machine being broken away. Fig. 2-is a plan of one of the operating devices of the machine, on an enlarged scale. Fig. 3 is a plan on a relatively smaller scale of a device designed to be used in connection with the device shown in the preceding figure. Fig. 4 is an elevation of the main part of the agitator that co-operates with the heated or popping-table. Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of associated elements'of the vbutter-ing apparatus. Fig. 6 is a vertical central sectional elevation of the improved machine, transversely of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a top plan of the 'feedingchute which is adapted to constitute a frame or housing-for'various operating devices of the machine. Fi 8 is a fragmentary sectional elevation sowing the main structure of the machine looking rearwardly, approximately on the line VIII-VIII in Fig. 6, the

rear door being omitted. Fig. 9 is a fragmentary transverse section of the main portion of the corn-separator. fragmentary front elevation of the feedchute and operating devices y. thereon. Fig. 11 is a vertical central section of the u per portion of the feed-chute. Fig. 12 is 'a ragmentary vertical central section of the feedchute at right angles to the preceding figure. Fig. 13 is av fragmentary vertical sectional Fig. 10 isa elevation of the main associated parts of 'the machine looking forwardly, approximately on the line XIII-XIII in Fig. 6, portions of elements being broken away to exposeA other portions. Fig. 14 is an inverted plan of the rincipal elements ef the agitator. Figd 1s a plan of one of the structural fea= tures of the agitator. Fig. 16 is a fragmentary sectional detail view of the devices for operating the agitator. Fig. 17 is a sectlonal elevation of Ithe improved buttering apparatus. Fig. 18 is a bottom plan of the improved feed-chute. Fig. 19 is an end elevation of the associated popping-table and agitator. Fig. 20 is a horizontal sectional lan of the improved machine approximatel) mid-way of the top and the bottom of the eed-chute. Fig. 21 is a top plan of the improved cc-rn separating structure. Fig. 22 is a top plan of the main part of the agitator. Fig. 23 is a top plan of the butter box and apparatus thereof; and Fig. 24 is a top plan of the improved machine partly broken .flange 9. The housing has a. front wall 10 and side walls 11 and 12, preferably composed of glass, and a rear door 13 to permit A the operator to have access to the interior of the housing.

A corn-box and hopper is provided and comprises a base frame 14 having legs 15,'

15', secured upon the roof plate 8 and a glass wail 16 upon vthe base frame. The base frame supports a hopper bottom 17 I having a discharge pipe 18 arranged on one side of the central portion of the bottom. Preferably the corn-box is covered, and in such case a securing rod 19 is secured vertically to the middle portion of the bottom 17, an apertured cover part 20 is seatedv upon the glass wall and suitably secured in p ace by the rod 19, anda lid 21-is removably arranged on the cover partl v20 to close the aperture therein. The base frame 14 has shaft hangers 22 and 23 in which a shaft 24 is rotatably mounted horizontally. A pulley 25 is secured to the shaft beyond the outer side of one of the hangers, a washer 26 is arranged on the shaft .between the pulley and the adjacent one of the hangers, and a similar washer 27 is arranged on the shaft at the outer side of the opposite hanger, the

:washers being composed of non-metallic material such as vulcanized fiber to provide noiseless end thrust bearings, a cap nut 28 being screwed to the shaft in contact with the washer 27 and having a set-screw 29 therein engaging the adjacent end of the shaft vto adjustably take up end play of the shaft. A suitable electric motor 30 is mounted upon the roof plate 8 and has a driving shaft 3l which is provided with a pulley 32 whereby the pulley 25 is driven'by means cf a belt 33 connecting the pulleys. -The shaft 24 has a worm 34 fixed thereto for transmitting motion. Y

he apparatus includes a novel feed-chute 35 which is rectangular in cross section and vertically arranged'with its top beneath the discharge pipe 18, one side of the feed-chute having projecting journal boxes 36 and 37 thereon adjacent to its upper and lower ends respectively, and the upper journal box and the adjacent portion of the feed-chute have a flange 38 thereon that is arranged beneath the roof plate 8, the latter having a suitable opening receiving the feed-chute and the journal box. vA suitable gasket 39 is arranged upon the roof piate to exclude rain water from the opening in the roof plate, the gasket and fiange being secured to the roof plate by means of bolts40. The flange has ample dimensions so|- as to rigidly support the feed chute. A driving shaft 41 is rotatably mounted verticaily in the journal boxes 36 and 37, and the shaft has a worm gear 42 fixed thereto above the upper journal box and in engagement with the worm 34. A bevel pinion 43 is secured to 'the driving shaft at a suitable loe distance' below the upper journal box. The lower portion of the drivin sli-aft /has a crank arm 44 secured t ereto beneath the lower journal box, and the crank arm isz provided with a crank pin 45 which preferably is composed of a number of parts and so as to have a roller provided with anti-friction ball bearings. The side of the feed-chute is provided With a stub shaft 46 at a suitable-distance lower than the pinion 43 and itrotatably supports 'a spur-tooth pinion 47 and a bevel gear wheel 48 fixed to the pinion, the gear wheel being in mesh with the pinion 43 for transmitting motion.

The upper portion of the feed-chute has a plurality of elastic fingers 49 in'one side and similar fingers 50 at the opposite side of the interior thereof, and in inclined arrangement; the upper portions of the fin ers being secured to the feed-chute wall so that the fingers shall extend downwardly and each series of fingers towards the opposite series of fingers, the lower end portions ofthe'i'in'-v gers preferably being curved backwardly.

The fingers are flat-faced and designed toassist in controlling the feeding `of the corn. A feedshaft 5 1 is arranged to extend horizontally through the feed chute and is rotatably supported in the opposite wall portions thereof, and it has a gear wheelA 52 fixed on one projecting portion thereof and in mesh with the pinion 47. The feed-shaft has a longitudinal groove- 53 in its side and `a pulley 54 secured to the op ositeprojecting shaft portion, the pulley iavingan eccentric 55Y fixed on its rear side and a hol1ow journal 56 on the rear vside of the eccentric, the-journal being rotatably su'p orted in the adjacent portion of the feed-c ute wall to.

support the adjacent portion vof the feedshaft. The pulley has a groove 57 in-its periphery to receive a driving belt in case it be desired to drive a fan or other devices in the housing. The pulley ispreferably secured to the feed-shaft by means of a set-screw 58.

The feed shaft extends between the two series of fingers inthe feed-chute, and the groove 53 is designed to receive and feed the grains of corn past one series of fingers while the opposite series of lingers retains the remainder of the corn upon the feed-shaft.A For the purpose of varying the quantity ofA A controller shafty 64 is rotatably sup-A ported horizontally in opposite portions of the feed-chute wall, below the feed-shaft, and extends through the feed-chute, one extending portion of the shaft having a ratchet wheel 65 fixed thereto at the outside of the feed-chute. A friction disk 66"is secured to the shaft 64 within the feed-chute and has frictional contact with the adjacent wall portion thereof, being yieldingly held in place by a spring67 seated on the opposite wall portion. A hub 68 is rotatably arranged on thc shaft 64 at the outer side of the ratchet wheel and has an arm 69 fixed thereon that extends upward and has a fork 70 engaging the eccentric 55 whereby to oscill'ate the arm, the arm being provided with a pawl 7l engaging the ratchet wheel whereby to1 periodically turn the controller shaft. -The hub has also a suitable longer oscillatory arm 72 thereon which extends downward and has a connectingrod 73 pivoted thereto, the end of the connecting-rod being provided with a hook 74 set so as to have an open under portion. The purpos'eof the arm and connecting-rod will appear hereinafter. A dumping-gate 75 is arranged in the lower portionl of the tending at an inclination downwar vto the rearward side of the feed-chute. A controlling arm 77 is fixed to the hinge portion of,`4

the gateand extends horizontally outward through an opening in the adjacent wallv portion,. and it hasv a weight elementl 78 thereon tohold the'gate in closedlposition. A link 79 is loosely connected with the arm 77 and 'extends upward and is connected pivotally with a cam-arm 80 which is `provided and supported by a pivot 81 Yon the forward side of the feed-chute. i The camarm has a projection 82 on the under portion thereof and arranged adjacent to the shaft j' 64, and the shaft is provided with a lateral finger 83 arranged to be brought into engagement with the projection 82 to operate and then quickly release the cam-arm 80. A 4yoke is provided which comprises two arm's'84 and 85 and a cross-bar 86 connected to one end of the arms, the arms being pivoted to the opposite outer sides of the feedchute approximately on the plane of the shaft 64, the arms extending forward horizontally, and one of the arms has a projection 87 on its inner portion arranged tobe engaged by the finger 83 for lifting the yoke and permitting it to drop quickly. A j link 88 is pivotally connectedvto the crossbar 86 of the yoke to operate a device here,-l inafter described as associated with the popping apparatus. i

A popping-table is provided which vis composed of a rectangular to'p plate 89 and downwardly extending ends 90 and 91 provided with ears 92 and 93 respec-v` tively, the top\y plate having also downwardly rextending sides 94 and 95 and an intermediate wall 96 a short distance back from the front side 94 to provide adischarge opening. The top plate 89 is inclined so that the corn thereon may ibe worked over to the discharge opening.; The top plate has downwardly extending Aporv` tions 97 and 98 arranged with a space 99. between them so that the corn -shall slide downward from all portions of the discharge opening to a central ipoint and emerge through the central -spa'e'eggA.plurality of hanger .rods 100 and101 are rigidlyv supported in suspended arrangement'by' the roof plate 8, the rods preferably'- extending through the plate and having nutsl02and 103 thereon respectively which "are. supported upon the topof the'pla-te," to permit longitudinal adjustment of thev rods. The

hanger rods extend downward# and through ifi) the 'ears 92 and^93 respectively and, being screw-threaded, have'nuts 104 and 105 thereon respectively below the ears to permit vertical adjustment of the popping-table. The hanger rods have collars 106 and 107 thereon respectively arranged j under the roof plate 8, and-preferably they are screwthreaded to permit adjustment of the hanger rods. Also the hanger rods preferably have locking nuts 108 and 109 thereon engaging the tops ot the ears 92 and 93 respcctivel The popping-table has'a suitablel electrical'heater therein which consists.

of a suitable composition 110 in which heater elements 111 are arranged and in connection with an electrical circuit 112 which is suitably connected with a switch-board 113 supported in the rearward portion of the main housing structure. The hanger rods are provided with guide bearings which preferably comp-rise collars 114 and 115 adj ustably arranged on," the rods, each collar being secured to the rod by means of a set-screw .comprises a hollow mam part which has a rectangular top plate 125 and downwardly extending ends 126 and 127 and also sides 128 land 129 which extend downwardly farther than the ends so as to be adjacent to the sides 94 and 95 respectively of the popping-table, being adapted to. retain popping corn upon the popping-table, the top plate partially coverin the popping table while the ends 126 an 127 extend across the top of the popping-table.Y The front and rear sides 128 and 129 are preferably provided with transparent panels 130 and 131 or have slots 132 to permit the popping operation to be seen. The end 126 has guide rods 133 and 134 rigidly fixed thereon that are slidingly guided on the bearings 121 and 122 respectively, and the end`127 is similarly provided with guide rods 135 and 136 that are movably guided on the bearings 123 and 124 respectively. The top late 125 ot the agitator is centrally provi ed with va yoke or cam 137 which is fixed tof-'the plate and preferably is composed of laminated plates of suitable material to permit noiseless contact therewith, and itA has a slot 138 therein extending transversely with .respect to the line of movement of the agitator andreceiving the crank-pin 45, whereby the agitator is reciprocated. The agitator 4is so adjusted andguided separately from the popping-table as -to permit'it to move quietly and without causing frictionalxresistance on the poppin, ;table. -Tlhe'grearward portion of the top125 has a longitudinal receiving aperture 139 therein that is below the feed-chute andabove the higher the two frame bars as seen in Fig. 15 where-` by to connect them to the agitator sides.

The agitato;` has a restrainer appliance i therein which comprises a bar 142 having arms 143 and 144 which are pivoted to the ends 126 and 127 respectively, so that the bar 142 shall be located on the top 89 above the intermediate wall 96. The middle portion of the bar 142 has a lug-pin 145 thereon to which the link 88 is loosely connected, the link extending through a slot 146 in the agitator top, and preferably a coil-spring 147 is so arranged on the lug-pin as to prevent side motion of the link on the lug-pin.

A novel separator is provided for the purpose of separating the shot corn from the poppedcorn, and as preferably constructed comprises two end. walls 148 and 149, two short side walls 150 and 151 connected to the end walls respectively and extending may fall through the passages formed be.

yond the ends of the hopper by said walls. A discharge pipe 157 is connected with the forward portion of the hopper 156 and eX- tends downward. The end walls 148 and 149 have hanger rods 158 and 159 rigid thereon respectively which are rigidly secured to the popping-table, preferably to' the intermediate wall 96. The separator has an inclined side plate 160 adjustably secured to the front walls 150 and 151 by means of screws 161 and 162, and the plate preferably has an extension lip 163 intermediate of its ends. side plate 164' which extends nearly to the lip 163 of the opposite plate, the plates 160 and 164 constituting a slitted hopper bottom, the plate 164 being secured to/the wall portions 154 and'155, being shorter than the opposite plate to permit the pOpped corn receivedfonto the plate to be pushed off the ends of the shorter plate so as to fall beyond thelow walls. l

A novel gatherer to receive the popped lc orn from the end portions of the separator` The separator has also an inclined charge pipe 157, the gatherer bein "ofjsuiiif,

cient width to receive the poppe corn as it falls through the openings near the ends of the separator. u

The machine preferably is provided with a butter-box which is interposed between the gatherer and the oor 2 of the main housing and it preferably comprises a bot- -tom 171, a front wall 172, a rear wall 173 and side walls 174 and 175. The front wall is provided with a securing bolt 176 that extends through the discharge pipe 157 and has a nut 177 thereon, permitting the butter-box to be removed to be cleansed. Preferably the outside of the front wall 172 has guide lugs 178 and 179 thereon yin contact.

with opposite portions respectively of the discharge pipe to prevent tilting of the butter-box. The butter-box has a removable cover comprising a flat rearward portion 180 and an inclined portion 181 sloping for wardly to support but-ter and popped corn and having a low wall 182 on its lower edge portion to retain surplus butter, and the inclined portion has a slot 183 therein adjacent to the retaining wall through which the surplus butter may flow back into vthe butter-box. The butter-box cover has journal boxes 184 and 185 thereon which support a rock-shaft 186 having a dipper arm 187 fixed thereto, the arm having a downwardly-extending portion 188 provided on its end with a dipper 189 adapted to draw butter up through an aperture 190 provided in the cover and permit the butter to fall onto the cover. The inclined portion of the cover has a rib 191 thereon below the aperture 190 to prevent the corn from being pushed into the aperture. The rock-shaft 186 has a crank-arm 192 thereon extending downwardly and having a hook-shaped crankfpin 193 to which the hook 74 on the connecting-rod 73 is detachably connected, permitting the rock-shaft to be temporarily operated by hand if desired.

For the purpose of manipulating the corn after itrleaves the popping-table, a novel device is provided which comprises a curved base portion 194 which is rigidly secured to the front plate 138 of the agitator and extends downwardly opposite to the front of the separator, and has a' horizontal member 195 thereon which extends between the top of the hopper 156 and the lower portion of the plates 160 and 164, the horizontal member 195 having a finger 196thereon which extends upward through the slitted'se arator bottom or narrow space between t e side and bottom plates 160 and 164 of the separator. `The member 195 has a downwardly extending arm 197 thereon which terminates adjacent to the butter-box cover and has a finger 198 thereon to operate below the gatherer and move the popped corn to and fro upon the inclined portion on the cover to permit the corn to be buttered.

Aldischarge pipe extension 199 extends from the discharge pipe 157 through the floor 2 of the housing and preferably is supported by the ioor, and has a hook 200 at its lower end tc which a pail 201 may be hung to receive the shot or unpopped corn which ,may be carried awa Preferably the interior of t e stand 1 has a suitable electrical heater 202 therein provided with a circuit 203 extending through a tube 204 to the switch board 113, to provide heat, if desired, to the floor 2. In practical use, the corn to be popped is placed in the corn-box v and gravitates through the discharge pipe 18, and when the feed-shaft is operated the corn is fed thereby past the adjacent elastic fingers, the corn falling to the dumping gate 75 as the feed-shaft rotates, the eccentric thereon oscillates the arms 69 and 72 and the pawl 71 intermittently moves the ratchet wheel whereby the controller shaft 64 is intermittently turned, so that the nger 83 first enga-ges the projection 87 to cause upward operation of the restrainei bar 142 for releasing some of the popped corn from the popping-table. As the controller shaft rotates, the finger 83l engages the projection 82 to cause 4operation of the dumping gate to permit a quantity of the corn to be discharged onto the poppin -table through the aperture 139 in the top o the agitator. The driving shaft 41 being in operation, the agitator is moved to and fro and causes the corn'upon the popping-table to be agitated and gradually worked downwardly thereon, and finally released therefrom to fall onto the inclined portions of the separator on which the corn is worked to and fro by the finger 196, which pushes the large popped grains of co-rn off from the ends of the shorter plate. 164 to be received in the end portions of the gatherer, While the smaller unpopped grains fall through the space between the plates 160 and 164 and into the hopper 156, from whichfthey descend through the discharge pipe 157 to the pail 201. The popped corn descends through the bottom outlet of the lgatherer onto the top of the butter-box and is pushed back and forth thereon by the finger 198, while the corn takes up vsome of the butter and finally is qcrowded ofi ,the cover land falls onto the bottom of the main housing.

As the arm 72oscillates it causes the roeksllaft 186 to be operated so as to cause the di per L89 to repeatedly bring up the required butter and deposit it onto the butter- 4box cover. l Y

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 'as newis- A corn-popping machine including a housin roof, a plurality of hanger :rods secure to the roof and extending down ward therefrom, and a popping-table and an agitator sup orted by the hanger rods; the popping-tab e' being rigidly secured to the rods and the agitator movable upon the popping-table and guidedby the rods.

v2. A corn-popping machine includingY a. stationary popping-table having an inclined top provided in its lower portion with a discharge-opening, and a hollow agitator mov-` ably guided longitudinally upon the inclined ypopping-table top adapted to cover the corn and having a receiving aperture in its top aboveI the higher portion of the inclined popping-tabletop.

3. A corn-poppingL machine including a popping-tableLtwo rods rigidly secured up rightlyto opposite ends respectively of the popping-tab e and having each a. cross-arm rigidly connected thereto, and an agitator" arranged uponthe popping-table tocooperate therewith and having guide rods ou opposite Vrends respectively thereof supported for longitudinal movement of the rods on the cross-arms respectively. Y

'4. Acorn-popping machineincludi'ng a popping-table comprising an inclined top plate and Ysides and ends and also a wall extendingdownward from theY plate, the lower portion of the top plate having a discharge-opening therein and also two oppositely inclined portions extending downwardly from opposite sidesrespectively of the discharge-opening and between the Wall and one of said sides, and a heating element arranged under the inclined top between the wall and the remaining one of said sides and between said ends. ir

5. A corn-popping; machine including a housing roof, a plurality of hanger rods and aise a feed-chute secured to'the rooiE and extending" downward therefrom and being supported by the roof, a. popping-table rigidlysecured to the hanger rods and thereby supported stationarily, the popplng-table 'having an inclined top and the higher vportion of YYthe top being arranged below the feed-chute, a lollow agitator movably arranged upon 'the top of the poppingY table 'andlhaving a top to cover the corn t e lthe agitator being guided by the hanger rods reon,

and hav-in a receiving-aperture lin its top below the' geed-chute.

A corn-popping machine including a stationary horizontal popping-table having an' inclined top plate, the lower l porti/on of thel plate *having a discharge-openingthereinl upright ro secured to the popping-table and provided with guide bear-- ings, aYV hollow agitator movably arranged vice secured upon the topuof Ythe agitator' to: move the agitator.

7. A corn-popping machine including a stationary s popping-table having a Y discharge-opening in the top thereof, the`under portion of the. popping-tablebeing'provided with acorn-receptacle below the discharge-opening, upright rods secured to thel poppingtable, bearing arms secured tothe rods, a hollow agitator movably arranged upon the popping-table and having guide rods fixed on opposite ends thereof and movably guided on the bearing arms respectively, an actuator device connected with the agitatonto move it upon the poppingtablefand a devicesecured to the agitator to bewoperateld thereby and extending into the corn-receptacle to operate therein.

8. A corn-popping machine including a stationary popping-table having a dischargeopening inthe top thereof, the un-V der portion of thei popping-.table being provided' with a corn-*receptacle beiow the dischargeopening, upright rods secured to the popping-table and :provided with lateral arms, arhollow agitator movably arranged upon the popping-table and having guide rods fixed thereon and movably guided oli the lateral arms respectively, the agitatorhaving aY cover plate provided with Ya receiving-apertureLan actuator device secured "upon said coverY plate tolmove theY agitator,

a frame in the agitator and secured 'thereto, agitator bars secured tothe frame, a restrainer vate pivoted in the agitator, and a link to lftthe gate connected therewith and extending upward through said cover p ate.

9. A corn-popping machine including a housing roof, two ranger rods secured at one end to the housing roof and extending ldownward therefrom, a feed-chute secured to the housing roor` betweer the hanger rods and supported solely by the roof. a Ypoppingtable belowthe feed-chute and secured tol lbelow the feedchute, andvactuating means mounted on the feed-chute and having con-y nection with the agitator to impart 'mot-ion thereto.

10. In a corn-popping machine, the coinbination with a feed-chute supported at its top, of a pop ing-table arranged separately from the fee -chute and havino` an inclined top with the higher. portion below the feedchute, the lower portion of said top having a discharge-opening therein, and a hollow agitator movable in co-operation with the inclined top of .the popping-table'and having a top plate provided with a receivingr aperture therein arranged below said feedchute and having also a deflecting plate extending downwardly at an inclination from the top plate and below the receiving-aperture.

11. In a corn-popping machina-the combination with a stationary popping-table, and a feed-chute vertically arranged above the popping-table, of a hollow agitator arranged and guided to movably co-operate with the top of the popping-table, the agitator having a top with an aperture below the feed-chute, an actuator device comprising a plurality of plates and secured upon said agitator top Iand having a slot therein extending transverselyof the line of movement of the agitator, and a driving shaft rotatably mounted on the feed-chute and having a crank-arm adjacent to said device, said arm having a crank pin extending into said slot. A

12. In a corn-popping machine, the combination with a stationary horizontal popping-table la' Jing an inclined top, of a holiow agitator part provided with means whereby itl is guided to movably eo-operate with the top of the popping-table, a restainer in the agitator part comprising a gate bar arranged adjacent to the lower portion of said inclined top and having arms pivoted to the agitator adjacent to the higher portion of said top, a feed-chute vertically arranged stationarily above the popping-table, a yoke pivoted to the feedehute to be intermittently lifted, a link connected to said gate bar and to the yoke, andmeans mounted on the feed-chute adapted to intermittently lift the yoke.

13. In a corn-popping machine, the coinbination of a stationary' popping-table havin an inclined top, thelower portion of said to having a discharge opening therein, a ollow agitator part having longitudinal sides extending along the upper and lower ends of said top and also transverse ends extending across said top, said agitator part Ahaving a top plate provided with a receiving-aperture, means separate from the popping-table to movably guide `the agitator part, an actuator device securedito the agitator part, rods secured to the. inside vof the vlongitudinal sides of the `agitator part adjacent to the popping-table, a feed-chute stationarily arranged above said receivingaperture, and means mounted on the feedchnte and having connection with the actuator device to reciprocate the agitator part.

14. .A corn-popping machine including a feed-chute vertically arranged, a feeding device movably arranged in the feed-chute, a gate movably supported in the feed-chute below the feeding device, a popping-table arranged below the feed-chute, an agitator upon the popping-table, and a separator arrangedbelow and receiving corn from thepopping-table and having means for sepa-` rating unpopped corn from popped corn.

'15. A corn-popping machine including a feed-chute vertically arranged, a feeding device movably arranged in the feed-chute, a gate movably supported in the feed-chute below the feeding device, a popping-table arranged below the feed-chute to receive corn therefrom, a separator arranged below and receiving corn from the popping-table and having means for separating unpopped corn from popped corn, and a buttering-box arranged below and receiving the popped corn from the separator.

16. A corn-popping machine including a feed-chute vertically arranged, a feed-shaft rotatably arranged in the feed-chute, a gate movably supported in the feed-chute below the feed-shaft, a popping-table arranged below the feed-chute, an agitator movably arranged. upon the popping-table to co-operate therewith, a separator structure stationarily arranged below and receiving corn from the popping-table and having a slitted bottom and outlets at the ends of the bottom, and a manipula-tor device secured to the agitator to be operated thereby and having a member extending through and operating iny the slitted bottom of the separator structure.

17. A corn-popping machine including a feed-chute vertically arranged, a feed-shaft rotatably larranged in the feed-chute a popping-table arranged below thc feed chute, a separator arranged below and receiving corn from the popping-table and having. means for separating unpopped corn from popped corn, a buttering-box arranged below and receiving the popped corn from the separator, a butter dipper arm movably mounted on the buttering box, and means having connection with the feed-shaft and the butter dipper arm enabling the feedshaft to operate the arm.

18.'A corn-popping machine including a feed-chute, vertically arranged, a feeding device movably arranged in the feed-chute, a

popping-table arranged below the feedchute, an agitator movably arranged upon the popping-table to co-operate therewith,

la separator structure stationarily arranged below and receiving corn from the poppingtable and having different outlets, a butterv ing-box arranged below and receiving and the controller shaft enabling the feedshaft to intermittently turnlthe controller shaft, a dumping gate hingedly supported in the feed-chute below the controller shaft, a popping-table arranged below the feedchute, an agitator movable upon the popping-table to co-operate therewith, driving means to rotate the feed-shaft provided with means'to move the agitator, and means co-operating with the feed-chute structure l to enable the controller shaft to periodically engage and operate the dumping gate.

20. A corn-popping machine including a feed-chute vertically arranged, a feed-shaft rotatably arranged horizontally in the feedchute, a controller shaft rotatably' supported by the feed-chute below the feed-shaft, means having connection withthe feed-shaft and the controller shaft enabling the feedshaft to intermittently turn the controller shaft, a dumping gate hingedly supported in the feed-chute below the controller shaft, a popping-table arranged below the feed-chute and having a discharge chute, an agitator movable upon the popping-table to co-operate-therewith, driving means to rotate the feed-shaft provided with means to move the agitator, a restrainer movably connected with the agitator to temporarily hold the corn from the discharge chute, means actuated by the controller shaft to periodically operate the dumping gate, and means connected with the restrainer and actuated. by

' the controller shaft to periodically operate the restrainer in advance of the operation of the dumping gate.

21. In a corn-popping machine, the combination of a feed-chute, a feeder movably mounted in the feed-chute, a popping table arranged below the feed-chute, an agitator movably arranged Cand guided to co-operate withthe popping-table, a separator having hangers secured to and supported bythe popping table and having also an outlet channel, a discharge pipe arranged under said channel to receive unpopped corn therefrom, a gatherer secured tothe discharge .pipe andfarranged to receive popped corn from the separator, a battering box secured to the discharge pipe below the gatherer, and a manipulator secured toand operated by the Aagitator and extending down nearly to the buttering box, the manipulator having fingers to co-operate with the separator.

22. In a corn-popping machine, the com- 4 tacle in its sides elastic fingers in the feedchute secured to opposite portions of the wall thereof and extending downward at o posite inclinations to opposite side of t e feed-shaft, a dumping gate movably su ported in the feed-chute below the fee shaft, a popping-table. arranged below the feed-chute, an agitator movably arranged upon the popping-table, and a series of driving appliances having connection with and rotating the feed-chaft and also having connection with and moving the agitator.

23. In a corn-popping machine, the combination with a feedhopper,of a feed-chute vertically arranged under the feed hopper, two series of elastic lingers secured to opposite sides respectively of the upper portion 4&0

of the feed-chute and extending downward, the fingers of each series extending towards the fingers of the other series, a feed-shaft rotatably mounted horizontally in the feed-- chute between and in contact with the two series of fingers and having a variable-.capacity corn receptacle therein, a` driving shaft rotatably mounted on the feed-chute and having operative connections with the feed-shaft, a popping-table stationarily arranged below the feed-chute, a dumping gate movably arranged in the feed-chute below the feed-shaft, and a movable agitator upon the popping-table to co-operate therewith and having connection with the driving shaft to be moved thereby.

24. In a corn-popping machine, the combination with a feed-chute, and feeding' apparatus and a dumping gate mountedin the -feed-chute, of a popping-table arrangedlbelow the feed-chute and having adischarge chute, a separator comprising-two inclined sides spaced apart, onev of thesidesvb'eing shorter than the other, an agitator movable upon the opping-table, a vmanipulator secured to tie agitator yand operated' thereby and having a finger arranged :between-said inclined sides,'the -linger being movable to push popped corn 0H the ends of saidshorter side and permit unpopped corn to pass between said sides, a gatherer' arranged'below the separator and extending under the-inclined sides and beyond the shorter one of the two, and a hopper. extending over the middle portion of the gatherer and under the space between saidl inclined sides.

25. Ina corn-popping machine, the combination with a feed-chute and feeding apparatus and a dumping gate arranged in the feed-chute, of a popping-table arranged below the feed-chute, an agitator movable upon the popping-table, a buttering-box arranged below the popping-table and provided with a cover having an inclined portion, the lower portion of the cover having a slit therein, the cover having also an aperture therein adjacent to the upper end of the inclined portion thereof, a shaft journaled upon the cover and having a curved arm thereon to operate through the aperture, the end of the arm having a dipper thereon, the shaft being provided with a controlling device, a stirrer arran ed to operate above the slit in the cover longitudinally of the slit and having connection with the' agitator to be operated thereby, and means having connection with the controlling device and the feeding apparatus to be operated therebv.

26..In acorn-popping machine, the ycombination of a vertical feed-chute with feeding apparatus arranged therein, a controller shaft horizontally supported by the feedchute and projecting beyond one side thereof, the projecting portion of the shaft having a lateral projection thereon, a dumping gate in the feed-chute hinged to one portion and extending downward to the opposite portion thereof and having a controllin arm thereon, a cam lever pivoted to the fee chute and having cam projections tol be engaged by each lateral projection, a link connected with the cam lever and said controlling arm, and a popping-table arranged-below and receiving from the feed-chute.

27. In a com-popping machine, the combination with a feed-chute and feeding apparatus and a dumping gate mounted there- 1n, of a popping-table arranged below the feed-chute, an .agitator movable upon the popping-table to co-operate therewith, a separator arranged under the opping-table and having a plurality ofout ets, the separator having a hopper arranged below one of its outlets, the hopper being provided with a discharge pipe, a gatherer supported. by the discharge pipe and extending below the remainder of the separator outlets, a battering box arranged below the gatherer and secured to the discharge pipe, and a manipulator secured to the agitator and having a device to operate in the separator and also a device to operate in proximity to the top of the buttering box.

28. In a corn-pop ing machine, the combination with a fee -chute and feeding and dumping apparatus therein, of a poppingtable l arranged 4below the feed-chute and having a discharge hopper, an agitator mov.-

able on the popping-table in co-operation" therewith, a separator having a frame provided with vertical discharge openings ad- ,jacent to two opposite ends respectively` thereof and also an inclined side plate fixed to said frame and extending between said openings, the separator having also a relatively lower inclined side plate adjustably secured to said frame and constituting one side wall of said openings, said lower wall being arranged below said discharge chute, a hopper extending below said discharge openings, a hopper arranged below the lower end of the shorter one of said plates, and a manipulator secured to the agitator to be operated thereby and having a finger movably arranged between the lower ends of said inclined side plates.

29. In a corn-popping machine, the combination with a feed-chute and feeding and dumping apparatuses thereon, of a poppingtable arranged below the feed-chute and having a discharge hopper, an agitator movable on the popping-tableto co-operate therewith, a separator arranged below and receiving corn from the discharge hopper, a gatherer arranged below the separator to receive popped corn therefrom, a butteringbox arranged below the gatherer and having a top to receive popped corn 'from the gatherer, and a manipulator device carried by the agitator and extending nearly to said top, said device having a finger extending into the separator to co-operate therewith and having also a horizontal finger thereon extending over a portion of said top to stir the corn thereon and push the corn from the top.

30. In a corn-popping machine, the combination with a popping-table, a feed-chute arranged above the popping-table, and feeding and dumping apparatuses in the feed chute, of a' buttering-box arranged below the popping-table and having two journal boxes thereon, the buttering-box vhaving a top with apertures therein, an agitator movable on the popping-table in co-operation therewith, a rock-shaft mounted in said boxes and having a crank? arm thereon and provided with a crank pin, a curved dipper arm fixed to the rock-shaft and having a dipper thereon to be carried through said apertures, an oscillatory lever pivotally supported between its ends on the feed-chute and having connection with the feeding apparatus to be operated thereby, a connecting rod pivoted to the lever and having a hook removably connected to said crank pin, and

- means secured to and operated by the agitator and extending nearly to the butteringbox top to manipulate the popped corn thereon.

' In testimony whereof, I aix my signature inpresence of two witnesses.

LUTHER J ISENHOUR.

Witnesses:

E. T. SILvrUs, G. L. SMrrn.

'nsy 

